Sunday, July 3, 2011

Millions of Canadians from coast to coast are today celebrating the nation’s 144th birthday.The Social Cultural Recreational Educational and Environmental Network, a Tamilese community organization based in Mississauga, with acronym SOPCA (SCREEN of Peel Community Association), did its celebrating last night.And what a party it was.

Crowded into the Older Adult Centre at Square One, more than 150 people were treated to two hours of traditional Tamil dancing and singing – even a skit. Not forgotten, of course, were the singing of O Canada and the hoisting of the Canadian flag.

“Tonight we are celebrating our fidelity and gratitude to a great country which has welcomed us, given us refuge and a life free from fear,” said SOPCA president Anthony Jesuthasan.The patriotism was palpable.

vice-president Kuru Aravinthan

“Canada is truly a model for other countries to follow. I’m really proud to call this country home,” said vice-president Kuru Aravinthan.

Demonstrating the cultural diversity of Canada, teenage emcees Jeneta Rubaranjan and Sivaani Sivachelvachandran kept the show humming along smoothly in both English and Tamil.

Invited guests included Ward 10 Councillor Sue McFadden and Dr. Victor Figurado, a Mississauga-based volunteer with Doctors without Borders who witnessed first hand the devastation wrought by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Hardest hit were Sri Lanka, where most Tamils live, India and Thailand.

Scarborough-Rouge River MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan, who became Canada’s first Tamil member of parliament when she elected in the May 2 election, dropped by to cut the cake.Mississauga.

Mississauga ... my family still call Mississauga home,” she told the enthusiastic crowd.Sitsabaiesan said she was “humbled” to be elected to parliament; she also noted she has a dual role to play. “I grew up in
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Award given to Kuru Aravinthan by MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan

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“I will do the best I can to do you proud,” she promised.True to its mission to combat social injustice and promote family values, SOPCA used the occasion to hand out awards to winners of its Canada Day quiz and art contests.

Sanjay Ramanathan (Grades 3 and 4), Kabila Vetharaniyaseyon (Grades 5 and 6), and Surya Ratnam and Krujan Jegatheeswaran (tied in Grades 7 and 8) took first place in quiz. Arunesh Baskaran (Grades 3 and 4), Surutiga Ranjan (Grades 5 and 6) and Krujan Jegatheeswaram (Grades 7 and 8) were tops in art.